NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 42; THAILAND; COUNTRY PROFILE

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Thailand
April 1974
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14ada*zd
Tradition and Change 1
Bangkok at the Center
The Rice Mystique
As the Old Was s Change
Chronology i(?
Area Brief 13
Summary Map follows 13
This Country Proftle was prepared for the NIS
by the Central Intelhgrn(r :jgr,j,y. Research
was substantially comWeted by February 197.1.
Fou OMCIA]. l'sE ON.y
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4

'Q t
Tradition
Change
In October 1973 the people of Thailand experienced
imprecedented violence in their political life when
pop filar demonstrations against the government of
Prime Minister Thanon Kittikachon brought about
the downfall of a 10 -ye rr military regime and the exile
of its three leading families. Against strong traditions
-f respect for authority and complaisance toward all
officialdom, a broad element of the educated Thai
Popilation� students, labor groups, some parts of the
bur-aucracy, prominent citizens, and the press �join-
ed ranks to express disaffection and deepening distrust
of their government.
Although the military regime shared no power with
the people, it had generally avoided repressive steps
while building a stable government under firm ex-
ecutive control. It often showed remarkable flexibility,
incorporatim, into government programs many of the
ideas and some of the leaders of the opposition. For if
hug time the regime was neither very popular no very
unpopular, was firm but not brutal, and tolerated
quite a lot of dissent although i! (]ill not like it.
However, from November 1971, when the regimu� end-
ed a 3 -year experiment in semiparticipatory govern-
ment, until late 1973 the consensus grew that
Thailand was being badly governed, that its top of-
ficials should leave, and that the military es-
tablishment's long domination of the nation's political
life should he terminated. Student agitation was the
catalyst that finally brought the government down.
\'OTT -"Ihe vii tiry mi0vuI of this chapler i, l'ti(1,ASSIFII:1)
Lot i. I-OR OFfI(AAI, t'SE Otill'.
While repudiating one fixture of their recent history
by removing the military's hold over the government,
the dissenting 'Thais showed their continued affection
for another constant in their political life: the
monarch. Although all power is exercised in the name
of the king, he has had very little real institutional
Power in his own right since if 1932 military- civilian
COUP ended the absolute monarchy. The stature of the
mon. ;rcly has grown immeasurably, however, since
the coronatFm in 1950 of the popular King
I'humiphon- -ninth in the Chakri line which has held
the throne since 1782. A hardworking ruler, King
HiumiPhon keeps himself well informed on both inter-
national and domestic issues. He uses his position
shre\ydly to influence the tone of government through
Private audiences with officials, and on occasion he
has taken public actions which have guided Thailand
toward a more democratic system of government. I'll(
King has developed a strong rapport with the st
comummllih': the student leaders had his support in the
events leading to the doWlifall of the Thanom govern
unent, and they continue to look to him for guidance.
The King chose 'I'hanom's successor, the civilian
educator and Supreme Court justice Sanya 'I'han)-
nwsak, and also played the key role in forming an in-
terims legislature which has been charged with drafting
a nest' constitution. Ile picked more than 2,300
citizens from different walks of life to meat and choose
the new 299 -man assembly which replaces the old
parliament. iieflecting Ill shifts which have taken
Place in the internal Power equation, only 12ri of the
nest' ;sssennblN are from the military compared with
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671 of its predecessor. There is continuity between the
new and the old in that nearly half of the Sanwa
cabinet are holdovers from the Thanom regime, a
number of them military men. Nonetheless, the new
constitution being drafted in early 1974 is expected to
Thailand's capital city, Bangkok �huh of com-
merce and transportation, residence of the monarchy,
and focus of political, intellectual, and cultural
life�typifies the conventional Thai attitude to+vard
continuity and change. Its founder, Rama 1, first of
the Chakri rulers, chose its location in 1782 to forestall
a Burrrnese attack similar to the one 15 Nears before
that had demolished the old capital of Ayutthaya, yet
he -wanted Bangkok to resemble Ayutthaya as closely
as possible. He summoned experts +who could recall
details of the old city, had some of its remaining
Imildings razed and the bricks brought down the river,
and ordered klongs (canals) cut including one
wide enough for boat racing which had been so pop-
ular in Avurtthava.
Eventually, in 1972, the "twin cities" of Bangkok
and nearby �I'hon Buri �site of a Temporary capital
prior to Bangkok's construction� nivir �d into one
city province uncle. a governor +who is also rya ;r of
the single municipality. In the last four decade, their
area has increased sixfold and their population, quin-
tupled, reaching a total of :3. 7 million in 19721 that
made the joint cih one of the world's largest. If its
6.5'1 yearly increase rate continues, Bangkok -Than
Buri's population will reach 6 million hN 1980 and ex-
ceed I 1 million by 1990.
Long before the merger, over half the nation's ur-
ban population already lived in Bangkok a:ul the
c�itv's primacy rate (i.e., population of the largest city
as it percentage of the total population of the four
largest cities) +vas in the W's �one of the highest in the
To merit primacy, says one orbanologist, a city
"must not only he the most populous in the area, but
reflect such civilian concerns as provision for a
bicameral legislature with an eiected lower house, dis-
tinct separation of power, it deeper commitment to
social welfare. and protection against the excesses of
martial I.m
more importantly, the most powerful and evocative of
rt .wards and splendors." Bangkok qualifies on a!l
counts.
Political influence literally begins and ends in
Bangkok, and other cities quid provinces generally
blow with the capital's political +winds. Major univer-
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sities such as Chulalongkorn and Thammasat �whose
students spearheaded the Thanom regime's overthrow
in October 197:3 �are in Bangkok, as are the best in
Thai theater, dancing, music, and the graphic arts. It
is also one of the few Thai cities to have a dail
newspaper �in this case several in Thai, Chinese, and
English. Bangkok is %%-her(- automobilf railroad, and
airline routes converge. Don N1uang is the nation's
only major international airport. and the seaport of
Bangkok handles over 90% of all inbound. and out-
bound sea cargo.
Bangkok's superiority crumbles, ho.vever, at the in-
frastructure level. Traffic jams not only clog the streets
but generate noise, vibrations, and exhaust fumes
.which endanger human life and national art treasures
alike. Frequently dust from a cement plant, black
smoke frorn a po.werplant, and sawdust from several
sawmills combine with ether fumes to cover the
metropolitan area with a veil of yellow sn::)g. Garbage
and other refuse in the klongs are further health haz-
ards, particularly when the water recedes in the dry
season. Government measures to tackle these prob-
lems have been sporadic and ineffective.
The decade of `.he 1960's .witnessed a significant
degree of economic diversificatio;i, which greatly
affected Bangkok. Dunne; the period 1960 -71, total
employment in agriculture rose by 25c and aon-
agric�ultural occupations by 78('. As a proportion of
the total .work force, the nonagricultural sector in-
creased from 171 `1 to 23`i the greatest increase in
employment .was experienced in services and corn
merc�e. This buildup of the nonagricultural work force
was primarily based on the metropolitan area of
Bangkok, winere about -1051 of the industrial labor
force and 625(' of all conunerc�ial .workers are activ.
The� rapid growth of the Bangkok -Than Buri
metropolitan area has strained existing .welfare services
there, and created housing and some unernplovrnent
problems. The growth of slum conditions has become
acute. By rnid -1971 there were an estimated JW,000
families in the capital area living in slums. On the
.waterfront, migrant laborers live on sampans or in
shacks; many of the shacks are constructed of barnboo
and scrap materials and are periodically swept away
by floods or destroyed by fire. Other squatters live un-
der bridges, in buildings under c�onstuc�tion, or
wherever shelter can be found. The government has
embarked on a few projects to improve public facilities
in this area, but top priority has been given to
socioeconomic development in the rural areas �in
response to other economic and political realities.
Onlc 1-151 of Thailand's total population live in ur-
ban areas, and the overwhelming preponderance of
economic production and national life goes on in the
countryside. Agriculture still employs over 70 c of the
labor force; together with processing and commercial
activities related to farming and forestry �some of
which occur within urban areas, of course �it ac-
counts for more than two fifths of gross domestic
product ;GDP). In 1972, 51 c of export earnings
stemmed from sales of just five commodities: r.ce,
rubber, tin, corn, and tapioca. Other agricultural
products made up the bulk of the remainder, as ex-
ports of manufactured products is small. Thailand's
achievement of an average annual rate of growth of
about 5c' in agricultural output during
1962 -72� matched by few countries in Southeast
Asia �was sufricien't to provide for an increasing con
sumption of food by the rapidly growing population
and still maintain surpluses for export.
The rural areas are also important because
economic hardship in sonic areas has bred discontent,
and because the government has in the past seriously
neglecied its relationships with minority ethnic
groups. Economic retardation is particularly apparent
in northeastern Thailand, .which contains about
one -third of the nation's population. There economic
and social development has been impeded by poor
soil, an unreliable water supply, insufficient irrigation
facilities, inadequate roads and ccaununications, and
a shortage of health and educational facilities.
Although the population is ethnic Thai, most people
in this area speak Lao or regional Thai dialects. They
are culturally different from the Thais who live on the
delta and .wide alluvial plain of the Chao Phraya river
system in central Thailand which is the country's rice
bowl and the center of traditional Thai civilization.
Despite the government's increased attention to
assimilation and development in recent ;ears, many
people in the northeast still feel ignored and dis-
criminated against.
Thailand's mountainous northern provinces are in-
habited largely by non -Thai hill tribes. The govern-
ment generally ignored the hill tribes until 1959 .when
it prohibited the cultivation of the opium pop-
py �their traditional livelihood �and mo.rd to stop
the slash- and -burn agricultural p!actices which were
destroying significant areas of forest. Considerable
antigovernment hostility persists despite the gov-
ernment's later adoption of a Hill Tribe Develop-
ment and Welfare I'rogram, and the efforts of the
King to show his concern for their well -being and
security by making personal visits.
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Ethnic problems also afflict the nation's southern-
most area, the Thai part of the Malay Peninsula. a
5W- mile -long sliver of land extending southward from
Bangkok, which has a substantial minority of ethnic
Malays attracted by the area's tin deposits and rare
woods. The peninsula's location astride the inter-
national sealanes joining China and India has long at-
tracted the attention of seagoing powers bent on using
its narrow waist as a shortcut. The merits of digging a
canal a the narrow poini of the peninsula, the Kra
Isthmus, are debated both internatinnally and
domestically. Japan and other major shipping nations
favor a canal; Singapore, strategically located on the
Strait of Malacca, firmly opposrs an alternate
waterway. I'll( Thai Government believes a canal
%vould benefit the nation in the .:hurt run, with canal
construction employing as many as 1 million Thais.
But in the long term, the government fears a canal
might spur separatist sentiment among the peninsula's
Malay residents.
Although Bangkok is the nave center of Thailand,
the nations heart beats in the countryside where most
Thais live in villages along the rivers and canals and
grow rice as their ancestors did. For at least half the
population, rice is the only or principal sourer of
livelihood. It grows on nearly 90' of the farms, takes
ill-, 70 n
,r of all cultivated land, auutts to 40,E of the
total value of farm production, and generates ]r''r' of
the country's GDP Rice makes up about one -fifth of
the value of all 'Thai exports and accounts for one -sixth
of all rice in world trade.
'Prue rice (urtizn saliva can grow like wheat on dry
slopes and in varying depths of water. Thailand has
ric�efields at altitudes nearly 4,500 feet above sea level
as well as in the brackish tidal flats of the Gulf of
Thailand. Most Thai rice is the wet or lowland type
grown by transplanting, and two thirds of the total
ric: a+ ^a is plant( in nonglutinous rice. The area of
Despite the many problems they face, tip, Thais
have through the centuries maintained a continuity
and a durability of culture due to many factors. From
earliest times, the Thais' economy has been based on
rice cultivation, which promotes communal life, and
their religion has successfully blended Buddhism, Hin-
duism, and animism. There has never been cause for a
peasant revolt or class warfare, even though Thai
governments have always been elitist and Thai rulers
never really accountable to the people. Unlike its
neighbors, Thailand has been subjected to foreign rule
wily for rare and brief periods The nal ion's ability to
absorb diverse influences still holds, as seen in the
ad(.ption of European and American theories of
government, administrative methods, and economic
techniques during the 20th century. The Thais still in-
terpret n( ideas and methods';rorr their own point of
view, adapt the n to match traits in their owl
character, anri through it all maintain a distinctive)
Thai ethos.
highest yields, but the smallest planted acreage, is in
the north which stresses glutinous rice.
Rice directly affects Thai life at all levels. it is the
infant's first solid food, and is ritually burned on the
funeral pyre. Rice is the chief part of every meal, an
important source of cash for the fanner and revenue
for the government, a major topic of village convee,a-
tion, the goal of most work, and the basis for holidays,
festivals, and even religious fervor. At harvest time es-
pec�i.My, villagers share tasks, working together in the
fields tip to 14 hours at a time. Traditionally, a hand-
ful of grain from each rice crop is returned from the
buyer to the farmer to assure the next year's crop.
Since the mid -19th century, rice growing has played
a major role in shaping the (,c�onony and boosting th(,
popu:ation. Pe-sants who for years planted just
enough rice for their own families began to grow more
when they learned of the wide interest in their high-
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I_1 �:16IT M IM161:a0 :1 wo] dN1]: 111 KIIt) !Lt)/ :ZtItItYtItItIItItY'7
MR
hLVA
ytlalit% pre duct Large fumign p, rc -haws pushe(I
Thailand from its sllhsistence level into an cschange
eeononly in the world marketplace, and this in turn
spurred hoth a population influx (large from China)
and a rise in fertility In the ceotor% IS50 -1950, rice
acreage rose by 13m,; from 5.8 million to `34 fi million
rat (2.2 rat l acre),
This striking gain Was generated largely by the
initiative of independent farmers, but seas also aided by
Ille governrnrat. The old custom that anyone might
clam) all the state's land Ile could till was formalized
ill the Consolidated Land Act of 1908. which men-
dolled the amount one crndd 'tuns to profit, and the
Land Act of 1936, which limited such acreage to 50
rai. l it both cases the fanner cotild mceive title after he
lilled the land far 3 years. Ali incentive land tax,
moreover, entmi3raged farmers to risk cultivaling new
land in I ^ss fertile regions. These customs and l.lWS cn-
cvnraged the growth both elf rice itself and of a nation
(If "mail, independent owner- farmers. )Sven the
emphasis placed hetwecn 1.950 and IOG0 on diver-
sifying crops (lift Lint deter the rise in paddy yields or
acreage which. by 1972, were respectively 31 -j and
30 higher than in 1962. The increase in vied was
due la improved irrigation, seeds, ferliliztrs, and farm
equipment.
In the earl 1970? s, however, several clouds on the
horizon were threatening the farmer's traditional role
ill Thailand. and perhaps, tiltimately, the values of the
rice -bused culture. Since a}rnat 1965 lite Thai popula.
tion, expanding by 3.2% or I million persons a year,
has consumed nearly 90 of each year's rice crop. At
this ratr, 3 million more torn of rice m ust he raised
over the nest decade just to meet domestic needs
Moreover, farmers already Liss ['lost of the potential
paddy area. Increasing rice yieids per revi on ahead%
deveiopecd land �the obvious answer �has been
stymied by the governulent's efforts to deveap in-
dusU As a result of competition for funds, the
government has failed to provide enutlgll irrigation,
fertilizers, storage facilities, and agricultural credit; it
leas .also tolerated or backed some policies that hamper
OF irnpurrrish farmers, 7 his situatinn could be solved
Ivy a change in governrneut priorities.
Water control is a major p.. ;Nora in rh: +land, a�. it
is throughout tropical monsoon Asia where maxinlurn
rice yields require some 70 inches of raid in the
June- \'avenlher growth mud maturing period
Thailand regularly gels this much rain onh in the
peninsular lowland and southerat coast. and areas
where forests have liven destro mccive and retain
anuch less than they used lo. 1- 93tinu. moreover.
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covers only ahor 17(' of total rice land. As it result,
some kinds of high-yielding, short- stemmed "miracle"
rice that need controlled watering account for only
2.2� of arable land, an,', three other types are being
tried and a fourth developed to grow at different water
levels. Even in the fertile Chao Phrava Plain, where
one -fifth of Thailand's rice is grown, the farmers can-
not doublecrop for lack of suitable water control.
Irrigation projects prior to the current Third Plan
1971- 6) emphasized building more dams rather than
providing ditches and dikes to channel water front ex-
isting dams to the farm lands. Two darns built in hhon
haen province in the northeast, for instance, did not
hell, provide %rater for the farmers, one provided only
electricity and the other had no feeder canals.
Fertilizer problems also hamper rice growing. Exor-
hit unt prices force Thai farmers to use less fertilizer
than any other .Asians except the Burmese �about 8.6
kilograms per hectare of arable lan(? compared with
over 12 in India and Indonesia, 19.5 in the Philip-
pines, and 60.8 in Western Malaysia.
Poor storage facilities Iso depress the income of
fanners wbo, tillable to store rice for long in
handwoven baskets, must sell it soon after harvest
when ,)rices are low. Uvnerally they sell about 60 "C' of
their unmilled crop directly to mills, local dealers, or
itinerant buyers, about one -third of the rest is used for
seed and feed. Poor storage can also discourage
doihlecropping, at least in areas where it second crop
is harvested) while damp. In mid 1973, growers in five
Centred Plains provinces found few buyers for their
damp paddy rice since both the government and most
private merchants lacking grain drying
egnipment �were uninterested.
Some government rice policies, %%bile well- inten-
tioned and helpful to other Thais, have proved dis-
astrous to farmers. The old 'rice premium" tax on ex-
ports long raised revenues for the government (about
l'SS15 million annually) and kept rice prices lo\y for
consumers, hit farmers received less thaI: half the ex-
port price. The farmers' share from the revised "rice
premitin" tax �Which has been levied since late 1972
ni only ahota one -fifth of all rice exports �is still
minuscule, but at least the government has announced
plans to reinvest much of its tax proceeds into im-
proving agriculture. The late 1973 crackdo\yn on rice
hoarders is making more rice available to the public at
reasonable prices but does not help farmers whose
profits on this particular crop were long since sliced off
by middlemen. With no financial reserves and no rice
stocks of their o\yn, the farmers have simple tightened
their belts.
Rice graving is still all- important to Thailand, but
the rice mystique is wearing a bit thin as modern
problems ntonnt. Partictilarly damaging in the early
1970's were the severe droughts which forced some
farmers �with oil]\ limited) agriccrltural credlit
available to them under government programs �to
borrow money at calamitous interest rates. Where the
land speculators who ployide inoiwy have required
deed as collateral, many farmers have been reduced
from small landowners to impoverished tenants Some
have accepted this fate stoicalh, but others have left
the land to seek uncertain fortunes in Bangkok and
other cities. In Jule 197:3 .he Bangkok Post found that
the children of 80''(' of the farmers in four (ventral
Plains delta provinces had left to try their luck in the
cities. The conventional wisdom has it that they would
rather he poor laborers than pour fanners.
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The fer::c; at in Thailand since students toppled the
Thanom regime in October 1973 raises questions
about the traditional happy -go- lucky, live- and let -live
Thai psyche, epitomized by the expression mai lien rai
or "never mind." The Thais' emotional security stems
partly from a long, permissive infancy with no rigorous
disciplines. A child generally learns to walk, s vim, and
gain motor coordination on his own, and probably
gains a healthy self- reliance h so doing. Adult Thais
feel little pressure to conform to any work ethic or nee
for self- castigation. This kind of background .u-
courages respect for authority without resentment.
Buddhism also shapes Thai conduct. Unlike the
Christian for example, the Buddhist does not have an
accountability to a Creator who will decide the fate of
his eternal soul. Being evil, grasping, or unkind merely
extends ones own suffering, and it is only good act.;,
charity, knowledge, and meditation that can free one.
The 'Thai Buddhist senses the world's impermanence
and the lack of reality based on outward signs, and is
inclined to minimize facts and thing;. 'The most com-
plex situations resolve themselves because the stream
of life continually shifts and rearranges one's positions.
Amid such flux where it would be absurd to try to be
certain and exact, or to plan everything �only the pres-
ent and the immediate are real. To most Thais the
concept of time is vague and rather than actors, they
tend to be acted upon.
There is no doubt that the overlay of Western
customs and artifacts superimposed through the years
has greatly altered 'Thai life. 'Tradition still prevails in
the countryside, but Westernization has made
headway in Bangkok and a mixture of the two has
changed the lives of smalltown residents. Superficial
innovations include: a network of highways where
there were once just quiet canals and winding
elephant trails; television antennas, radio towers, and
microwave parabolas dotting a landscape formerly
dominated by forests and temple spires; chrome and
plastic furniture supplanting lacquer -ware and inlaid
mother -of -pearl tables and cabinets, and cars and air-
planes figuring in temple murals along -,with
traditional Buddhist figures.
Modernization has also brought new kinds of people
and conditions. What used to be an insular,
little -known kingdom finds itself bustling with
tourists, businessmen, military men, international
agency representatives, news correspondents, and
assorted kinds of Western expatriates. Many of these
outsiders introduced new ideas and new technologies
which helped generate massive new wealth in the
country. A 44 increase in individual Thai income in
one decdd^ has brought increased demands for luxury
goods all over the country, with mixed reactions from
Thai intellectuals.
Western political ideas have been part of the scene
since the 1932 coup ended the absolute monarchy but
have prevailed only infrequently since then. The kev
features of modern po' �tical dynamics in Thailand
have been: rule by personality and faction, the coup
d'etat as an instrument of change, absence of
ideological debate in politics, concentration of
political life in Bangkok, abuse of office for personal
profit, and distortion of Western parliamentary and
electoral forms. Most Thais still view political intrigue
Mid change with a feeling of impotence.
Until recently. military strictures against political
assembly of five or more persons, against labor union
activity and against student political demonstrations
simpl- reinforc existing oulhtral restraints on
troublemaking. Many 'Thais have traditionally
equated opposition to the government with insulting
the King virtually a sacrilege in their society. The
resulting stability, coupled with the countrv's rich
agricultural resources, has made Thailand a strong,
non Communist cornerstone in Southeast Asia. At the
same time, however, general and personal economic
setbacks werc prompting a fairly wide cross section of
the public to decide that perhaps the government
shotdd he held accountable. A feeling that the poor no
longer had access to justice was also giewing throughout
the country. Official corruption, even extortion,
f
a
i
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Another major reason for rising public concern is the
nation's astronomical population increase. Before
1900 Thailand took more than a century to increase its
population by more than a million, but by 1970 more
than that number of persons was being added each
year. If the 3.2`'; annual growth rate continues un-
abated, Thailand will have about 50 million people by
1980, 70 million by 1990, and nearly 100 million by
the end of this century. If the population continues to
double every 22 years, the supply of many com-
modities ill have to double or more than double in
the same length of time. By 1990, one projection es-
timat; there would also have to be 16 million ad-
ditional jobs, 30 thousand more physicians, 5.7 million
additional houses, and 160 thousand more teachers.
The squeeze is already apparent on the lard and in the
job market.
The political events which Thailand and its
neighbors in Southeast Asia have lived through in the
past decade, as well as the recent advent of East -West
detente, have also had their effect. Ancient an-
tagonisms toward the Burmese, Vietnamese, and
Cambodians persist, but efforts are now being made to
open up discussioi on population exchange, border
disputes, and rival claims for control of productive
areas For most of the post -World War 11 era,
Tiv,dand maintained diplomatic relations with only
one` Communist country, the Soviet Union, and even
in this relationship cuitural and trade contacts were
kept to a ninimurn. In 1958, official commercial and
cultural contacts with the People's Republic of China
were banned. Beginning with 1969, however,
Thailand's outward look gradually altered, first in-
creasing contact with the European Communist coun-
tries, and alter 1972 with China.
'I he development o f closer ties among Switheast
As^n countries has become an important facet of Thai
foreign policy. Thailand sees its membership in the
Southeast Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO), which
it helped form in 1954, chiefly in icums of the Un ted
States' defense commitment, now waning. It iews
other regional organizations �such as the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN �as more closely
reflecting indigenous interests, and is active is sup-
porting their goals.
Multiple changes for Thailand, however, do not
necessarily scan an end to the country's traditional
ways. 'Throughout its history, religion, culture, mores,
and other factors it: the nation's life have he; n altered,
but strictly along 'Thai lines. 1?ven the students who
took to the streets in October 1973 did not resemble
the radical stereotype; they did not have unduly long
hair, wore simple white shirts and dark trousers, were
respectful to their elders, assemblod in dis 1plined
ranks before classes, and loved and respected the Ding.
Even the Thai version of Buddhism rejects the
Buddha's central doctrine of Nirvana, or heaven. The
Buddha taught that sorrow attonds existence and can
end only when desire is extinguished. The Thais, who
firmly beli-V existence is good, place the promised
rewards of Buddhism in this life rather than in the
next. Thailand's political, economic, and cultural bor-
rowing will probably continue to be selective, and
not destructive of national traditions.
9
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Chronology
1851 -58
During reign of Mongkut (Rama IV), Siam embarks on
modernization program to avoid colonization by Western
powers.
1855
April
Siam concludes Bowring Treaty with Great Britain which
grants extraterritoriality and trading privileges to British
citizens; treaty sets pattern for agreements with United
States, France, Denmark, anal Portugal, and opens Siam to
Western influence.
1868 -1910
During reign of Chulalongkorn (Rama V), Siam abolishes
slavery, creates modern civil service, and founds Western
type university.
1917
July
Siam enters World War I on side of Allies and sends small
military detachment to Europe.
1919
At Paris Peace Conference, Siam asks for abolition of extra-
territoriality clauses in its treaties.
1922
United States signs new treaty with Siam renouncing all
extraterritorial privileges; by 1926 new treaties with Euro-
pean nations only provisionally curtail Siarn's sovereignty;
by 1939 all treaties with foreign nations renegotiated to
eliminate remaining extraterritoriality and fiscal privileges.
1932
June
Absolute monarchy ended in coup d'Ptat by civilian and
military groups headed by Pridi Phanomyong and Phahon
Phonphayuhasena, respectively.
1938
December
Phahon retires; Phibun Songkhram becomes Prime Minister.
1941
December
.Japan occupies Thailand, forcing limited collaboration during
World War 11; Phibun declares war on United Kingdom and
United States in January 1942.
1944
July
Phibun resigns in face of impending Japanese defeat.; Khuang
Aphaiwong, hacked by Pridi, heads new government.
10
1946
January
Relations with United Kingdom and United States
reestablished.
March
Pridi assumes premiership.
August
Pridi forced out of office for suspected complicity in
mysterious death of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII).
October
Government lifts 1933 ban on Communist Party, after which
U.S.S.R. does not veto Thailand's application for United
Nations membership.
1947
November
Pridi supported government ousted in coup by Phibun sup-
porters; Pridi flees to Singapore and Khuang again becomes
Prime Minister but tinder military dominance.
1948
April
Military clique consolidates poc by coup, replacing Khuang
with Phibun.
1949
February
Pridi returns and fails in coup attempt; flees Singapore and
later to People's Republic of Chim..
1950
May
King Phumiphon Adundet (Rama I\) crowned, ending
regency and marking upturn n prestige of monarchy.
June
Government announces support of U.N. intervention in
Korea; late: sends about 2,000 troops.
September
U.S. Econot iic and Technical Cooperation Agreement signed.
October
U.S. Military Assistance Agreement sign(
1951
June
Coup by navy thwarted by army and police, but Phibun is
weakened; rule assumed by triumvirate consisting of Phibun,
Sarit Thanarat, and Phao Sriyanon.
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9
1952
November
Ban reimposed on Communist Pe.ty.
1954
September
Thailand signs Manila Pact creating Southeast Asia Treaty
Organization (SEATO).
1955
Phibun inaugurates democratization program; free public
discussion and new parties permitted.
1957
February
Regime narrowly wins general elections but is accused of
election rigging; Sarit dissociates himself from Phibun and
Phao.
September
Sarit stages bloodless coup; Phibun and Phao flee into exile;
National Assembly dissolved and new elections proclaimed.
December
Sarit clique wins cloctions; turns g,; ernment over to acting
Prime Minister as he goes abroad for rrediral treatment.
1958
October
Sarit returns to take personal control of government; pro-
claims revolutionary government and martial law, dissolves
National Assembly, and bans political parties and labor
unions.
1959
January
Interim constitution promulgated.
1961
July
Thailand, Malaya, and the Philippines form Association of
Southeast Asia (ASA), whose activities are later suspended
in 1963 over Malaya- Philippines differences.
1962
March
United States pledges to defend Thailand in event of direct
Communist aggression, interpreting SEATO abligations as
both bilateral and unilateral (Rusk- Thanat agreement).
Msy
United States sends troops to northeast Thailand when
Pathet [,so forces move toward Thailand -Laos border.
1963
December
Sarit dies; Thanom Kittikachorn becoo,es Prime Minister.
1964
November
Establishment of "Thailand Independence Movement"
(TIM) announced by clandestine Communist radio station,
Vaire of the People of Thailand.
1965
January
Formaticn of "Thailand Patriotic Front" (TPF) similarly
announced; Peking gives 'f!M and TPF strong propaganda
I
upport, and Thai Communists intensify propaganda and
organizational efforts.
June
Communists beg. i to escalate subversion into hetive in-
surgency; guerrilla forces increase terrorist acts and clash
with government patrols, primarily in northeast.
1967
August
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) formed by
Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore.
ASA members agree to gradual phaseout and transfer of
programs to ASEAN.
September
Contingent of Thai troops sent to South Vietnam.
1968
June
Constitution promulgated; provides for elections within 8
months for lower house of bicameral legislature.
September
Municipai elections held in Bangkok; opposition Democrat
Party overwhelming'y defeats government party.
1969
January
Voire of the People of Thailand announces formation of
"Thai People's Liberation Armed Forces."
February
National elections held; government party wins slim
1'; a rali ty.
March
New government formed under Prime Minister Thanom
with no changes in key power positions.
1970
March
Bangkok agrees to let Malaysian forces conduct antiguerrilla
operations in south Thailand near Malaysia herder.
1971
November
Military takes full control of government; Thanom heads
new Nan.onal Executive Council which annuls 1968 con-
stitution, dissolves parliament, and cabinet, and declares
martial law.
1972
February
Thai troops withdrawn from South Vietnam.
March
Formation of labor "associatior s" allowed for first tune since
1958 ban.
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6
Area Brief
LAND:
Size: 198,000 sq. mi.
Use: 24% in farms, 56% forested, 20% other
Land boundaries: 3,025 mi.
WATER:
Limits of territorial waters (claimed): 12 n. mi.
Coastline: 2,000 mi.
PEOt'LE:
Population: 38,438,000, average annual growth rate :3.2%
(current)
Ethnic divisions: 75% Thai, 14% Chinese, i 1 minorities
Religion: 95.5% Buddhist, 4% Muslim, 0.5% Christian
Language: Thai; E secondary language of elite
Literacy: 70%
Labor force: 88% agriculture, 9% commerce, 3 1 U industry
GOVERNMENT:
Legal name: Kingdom of Thailand
nmype: Constitutional monarchy
Capital: Bangkok
Political subdivisions: 71 centrally controlled provinces
Legal system: Based on civil law system, with influences of
common law; new constitution promulgated in 19ti8, sus-
pended 17 November 1971; provisional constitution promul-
gated December 1972; legal education at Thammasat
University; has not accepted compulsory IC,1 jurisdiction
Branches: King is head of state with nominal powers; Prime
Minister heads a 22 -man cabinet; National Assembly uni-
cameral and appointed by executive branch; judiciary rela-
tively independent except in important political subversive
cases
Government leaders: King Phunriphon Adundet; Sanv�
Thammasak, Prime Minister; Sukit Nimmanhemin, Deputy
Prime Minister
Suffragr: Universal
Elections: Expected within :3 6 months
Political parties and leaders: Dissolved under the revolu-
tionary order 17 November 1971 but may be reestablished
at time of new elections
Communists: Strength of illegal Communist Party is about
1,000; Thai Communist insurgents throughout 'I'lailand 1('1.11
about 5,500
Other political or pressure groups: None
Member of: ADI3, ASA, ASEAN, ASPAC, Colombo Plan,
ECAFE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, IDA, IF(', III11, ILO, I'I'I',
Seabeds Committee, SEAMES, SEATO, U.N., UNESCO,
UNICEF, ('PU, Wlltr, W *.iO
ECONOMY:
GDP: $7.4 billion (1972 est. in current prices), 5200 per
capita; estimated 4% real growth in 1972
Agriculture: World's largest rice exporter in 1972; main
crops �rice, rubber, corn; almost 100% self sufficient in food
Fishing: Catch 1.6 million metric tons, exports, 32,000 tons,
$22 million (1971)
Major industries: Agricultural processing, t- xtiles, wood and
wood products, cement, tin mining; world's fom th largest
tin producer
Shortages: Fuel sources, incbj;ing coal and petroleum
Electric ,rower: 1,975,000 kw. capacity (1973); 6,300,000
kw. -hr. produced (1973), 170 kw. -hr. per capita
Exports: SI,063 millio (f.o.b., 1972); rice, corn, rubber, tin,
cassava, kenaf
Imports: $1,484 million (c.i.f., 1972); excluding U.S. military
imports; machinery and transport equipment textiles, fuels
and lubricants, base metalS, chemicals
Major trade nartners: Exports Japan, I1.S., Singanore,
Hong Kong, Netherlands, Malaysia; imports Japan, I'.S.,
West Germany, l'.K.; about. 1% or less trade with Com-
mumst, countries
Monetary conversion rate: 20.0 baht USSt
Fiscal year: I October 30 September
COMMUNICATIONS:
Railroads: 2,382 mi. meter gage; 60 mi. double track
Highways: 12,590 mi.; 5,440 mi. raved, 4,820 mi. crushed
stone or gravel, 2,330 earth and laterite
Inland waterways: 2,485 mi. principal waterways; 2,306 ini,
with navigable depths of :3 ft. or more throughout the ,year;
numerous minor waterways navigable by shallow -draft native
craft
Ports: 2 major, Ili minor
Civil air: 26 major transport aircraft
Airfields: 2:36 total, 179 usable; 54 with permanent surface
runways; 10 with runways 8,0()() 11,999 ft.., 25 with runways
1,000 7,999 ft.; 3 seaplane stations
DEFENSE FORCES:
Military manpower: Males 15 49, 9,807,000; 5,930,000 fit,
for military service; about 424,000 reach military age (18)
annually
Military and internal security budget: For fiscal year ending
:30 September 1! 1:4311 r- d1lion; 25% of central g� ernment
budget
NOTE This Area Ilrief is compiled from (hltdl appearing in the January 1974 issue of the NIS Rasir Intclligener F'arthook.
FOR OFFICIAL USE' ONLY
13
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Places and features referred to in this General Survey
I-V
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"I"InINATFS
I COORnINATFR
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Alor Setar, Malaysia
0 07
100 22
Nakhon P..thonl.......................
13 49
100 03
Andaman Sea (-"a)
10 00
95 00
Nakhon Phanoin.......................
17 24
104 47
Aranyaprathet
13 41
102 30
Nakhon Ratchasima (admd)
15 00
102 10
Ban Bang Chak
13 37
100 3:3
Nakhon Ratchasima....................
14 58
102 07
Ban Bang Na
13 40
100 :38
Nakhon Sawan.........................
15 41
100 07
Br.n lion Maang.....
13 55
100 36
Nakhon Si Thammarat
S 26
99 58
Bangkok
13 45
100 31
Nam Pung, Khuan (dam)
W 58
103 59
Bang Pakong, Mae Nam (s(rm)..........
13 27
100 57
Nan, Mac Nam (sirm)
15 42
100 09
Bang Su (rvin)
13 48
100 33
Narathiwat...................
6 26
101 50
Ban Laem Chabang
13 05
'70 53
Noi, Mac Nam (.sirm)...................
14 22
100 25
Ban L am Nara!
IS 12
101 08 _U
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1 7 52
102 44
I-V
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VV.'
INDUSTRY AND MINING
Petroleum refinery lo
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powerplant
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Ullon a
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N ong Pla Duk (rain)
13 49
99 51
Brtnnang Sata
6 16
101 16
Ban Pak Nam
10 26
99 15
Ban Phala
12 40
101 02
Ban Tha Chalaep
12 3.`.
102 04
Ba- Tha Luang
14 33
100 46
Ban Tha Phra
16 21
102 48
Bun Yai (rain)
15 35
102 26
Bung Kan
18 23
103 37
C hachoengsao
13 42
101 05
C hainat
15 11
100 08
C hakkarat
15 00
102 16
C hanthaburi
12 36
102 09
Chao Phraya, Mae Nam (strm)
13 32
100 36
Chi, Lam Nam (airm)
15 11
104 43
Chiang Khong
20 17
100 24
Chiang Mai
18 47
98 59
Chiang Rai
19 54
99 50
C hok Chai
14 44
102 10
Chum Phae
16 32
102 06
C hu m phon
10 30
99 10
Den Chai (rain)
17 59
100 03
Det Udo m
14 54
105 05
Dom Noi, Lam (sirm)
15 17
105 28
Fang
19 55
99 13
Fiat Yai
7 01
100 28
Hawng Luk, Burma
20 28
99 56
llua llin
12 34
99 58
K abin Buri
13 59
101 43
K aeng K hoi(rain)
14 35
101 01
K anchanaburi
14 01
99 32
K antang
7 25
99 31
Kawkareik, Burma
16 33
98 14
K hieo, K hao (min)
14 28
101 52
K hlong Toci
13 43
100 34
K hlong Yai
11 46
102 54
K hon Kaen
16 26
102 50
K horat Plateau (plateau)
15 30
102 50
Klet Kaeo, Chong (marine channel)
12 45
100 51
Klet Kaeo, Ko (isl)
12 46
100 51
Kolok, Sungai (.sirm)
6 15
102 05
Krabi
8 04
98 55
Kra, Isthmus of
10 20
99 00
Krathing, K hao (min)
13 11
99 43
Krathing, Khao (hill)
12 43
100 56
Kuala Kerai, Malaysia
5 32
102 12
Laem Chabang, Khao (hill)
13 05
100 53
Laem N gop
12 10
102 26
Lak Si rain
1:3 5:3
100 35
Lampang
18 18
99 31
Lang Suan
9 57
99 04
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17 29
101 35
Lom Sak
16 47
101 15
Lop Buri
14 48
100 37
Lop Buri, Mae Nam (sirm)
14 22
100 35
Mae (long Son
19 Ifi
97 56
Mae Klong, Mae Nam (sirm)
13 21
100 00
Mae Mo (rain)
18 13
99 43
Mae Sariang
18 10
97 56
Mae Sot
16 43
98 34
Makkasan (rain)
13 45
100 33
Malacca, Strait of
2 :30
101 02
Malay Peninsula (peninsula)
6 00
102 00
Mekong (strm)
Ifi .5
105 00
Moei, Mae Nam (sirm)
17 50
97 42
M uang Kenthao, Laos
17 44
101 25
Muang Vangviang, Laos
18
102 27
M ukdahan
113:32
104 43
Mun, Mae Nam (slrm)
IFi 19
105 30
Nakhon Chai Si, Mae Nam (.siren)........
1:3 30
10(1 Ifi
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13 49
99 51
Nonthaburi
13 50
100 2f
Pakehan (sirm)
9 58
98 3:
Pak Phanang
8 21
100 1:
Pakxe, Laos
15 07
105 4:
Pa Sak, Mae Nam (sirm)
14 21
100 3:
Pattani
6 52
101 H
Phachi
14 27
100 4:
Phitsanulok
16 50
100 1:
Phong, Nam (sirm)
16 23
102 51
Phrae
18 09
100 M
Phra K hanong
13 42
100 31
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
14 21
100 3:
Phuket
7 53
95 2
Phuket, Ko (isl)
8 00
98 21
Phumiphon, Khuan (dam)
17 15
98 5!
Pinang, Malaysia
5 25
100 21
Ping, Mae Nam (sirm)
15 42
100 0!
Prachuap K hiri Khan
11 49
99 C
Pran Buri
12 23
99 5!
Ranong
9 58
98 3i
Rat Buri
13 32
99 C
Sakon Nakhon
17 10
104 01
Salween River
17 30
97 41
Sam ut Prakan
13 36
100 31
Sam ut Sakhon
13 32
100 1'.
Sam ut Songkhram
13 24
100 01
Sara Buri
14 32
100 1
Sattahip
12 40
100 51
Satun
6 37
100 0.
Savannakhet, Laos
16 33
104 C
Si Racha
13 10
100 51
Sisophon, Cambodia
13 35
102 51
Songkhla
7 12
100 31
Sungai Kolok
6 02
101 5!
Suphan Buri
14 28
100 0'
Surat Thani
9 08
99 V
Tak
16 52
99 0!
Ta K hli
15 15
100 2
Takua Pa
8 53
98 2
Thawat Buri
16 07
103 51
Thon Buri
13 43
100 21
Thung Song
8 09
99 4
Trat
12 14
102 31
Ubon Ratana (Nam Phong), Khuan (dam).
16 46
102 3'
Ubon Ratchanthani
15 14
104 5
Udon Thani
17 26
102 41
Uttaradit
17 38
100 01
Vientiane, Laos
17 58
102 31
Warin Cha mrap
15 12
104 5
X6.n6, Laos
16 41
105 0
Yom, Mae Nam (sirm)
15 52
100 11
Selected o'rfields
J/
Bangkok International
13
55
100 37
Ban Ta K hli
15
17
100 18
Chiang Mai
18
46
98 Fib
Chieng K hrua
17
17
104 06
Koke Kathie m
14
53
100 40
Korat
14
56
102 05
M uang Lam pang
18
16
99 30
M uang Ubon
15
15
10.1 52
Nakhon Phanem West
17
23
10.1 39
Nam Phong
16
39
102 58
Phitsanulok
16
47
100 17
Udorn
17
23
102 48
U- Tapao
12
41
101 01
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200090025 -9

APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200090025 -9
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA- RDP01- 00707R000200090025 -9

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Populated places
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50,000 to 200.000
0 20,000 to 50.000
Under 20,000
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Scale 1:3,500,000
0 25 50 75 100
Statute MAes
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namly, rice)
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